IN THIS ISSUE |
LATEST INDUSTRIAL AND TOXICS RELEASE DATA AVAILABLE NOW
THE AIR MONITOR: CALCULATING CARBON FOOTPRINTS
JAY SAYS |
LATEST INDUSTRIAL AND TOXICS RELEASE DATA AVAILABLE NOW
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| July 29, 2010 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published the latest data on industrial releases and transfers of toxic chemicals in the United States between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2009. EPA is making the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data available within weeks of the reporting deadline through its website and in TRI Explorer and Envirofacts. The database contains environmental release and transfer data on nearly 650 chemicals and chemical categories reported to EPA by more than 21,000 industrial and other facilities. The preliminary dataset allows communities to find out about releases and transfers of chemicals at the local level. Examples of industries that report to TRI include manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste treatment facilities among others. Facilities must report their data by July 1 of each year. The preliminary dataset includes more than 80 percent of the data expected to be reported for 2009. EPA will continue to process paper submissions, late submissions, and to resolve issues with the electronic submissions. The agency will update the dataset in August and again in September so citizens will have complete access to the information. EPA encourages the public to review and analyze the data while EPA conducts its own analysis, which will be published later this year. Copyright 2010, 1105 Media Inc. http://eponline.com/Articles/2010/07/29/Latest-Industrial-and-Toxics-Release-Data-Available.aspx?admgarea=ht.air&p=1 |
THE AIR MONITOR: CALCULATING CARBON FOOTPRINTS
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| by Erin Manitou-Alvarez, M.S.
Sarah Sajedi
August 14, 2010 New reporting rules will require new calculations. It will be critical to use the right data with the right formula. With the new greenhouse gas reporting rule in place and all the talk about carbon footprints, companies need a roadmap of what exactly CO2 reporting entails and how to go about collecting and calculating data.
To begin, operational boundaries must be defined by identifying and categorizing core emissions. Broadly speaking, core emissions can fall into two major categories: direct or indirect. Direct emissions originate from sources owned or controlled by the company, such as boilers, chemical products or vehicles. Whereas indirect emissions are a consequence of the company's activities, but actual emissions occur at sources owned by another company. Purchased electricity is an example. There are optional (non-core) emissions that may be included as well, such as transportation of purchased materials, waste disposal, employees commuting to work, etc.
With the scope of monitoring established, the amount of data collection may seem insurmountable. Internal inventory-management plans can assist in organization and delegation of responsibility to maintain accountability. Moreover, a robust environmental management system helps with the overwhelming recordkeeping, tracking and calculating a carbon footprint.
Establishment of a base year is required for proper emission comparisons to be done over time. A base year is the most recent year for which data is available; keeping in mind the purpose is to assess company progress toward emission reduction. Of course, a company may undergo structural changes over time, such as acquisitions or divestments, so adjustments to the base year must be done to keep the comparisons accurate.
Calculation approaches will vary based on the data collection monitoring system. Most often, emissions are calculated with mass balance and/or emission factors. Emission factors can be from relevant published sources, such as EPA's AP-42, or they can be the result of source-stack testing. Note: Even if monitoring is not possible, accurate emission data can be calculated using fuel usage data.
Choosing the right emission factors and equations for different types of sources will be integral for proper calculation but which ones should be used and when? - Stationary and mobile road sources: emission factors can be found via the EPA's WebFIRE at http://cfpub.epa.gov/webfire.
Emissions p,s = A s × EF p,s
where, p = Pollutant; s = Source Category; A = Activity Level; EF = Emission Factor
B.Non-road mobile sources (e.g. forklifts) emission factors are obtained through using EPA's Non-road model. This model is designed for "professional mobile source modelers" and can be cumbersome to use as its calculations take many parameters into account that change from year to year and differ across the U.S. However, if only calendar-year averaged emission factors based on the nationwide default mix of parameters is needed, then request a table of reporting-year specific emission factors from the Non-road help desk (for more information visit: www.epa.gov/otaq/nonrdmdl.htm).
Emissions p,s = A s × EF p,s
where, p = Pollutant; s = Source Category; A = Activity Level; EF = Emission Factor
C.Electricity purchased/used emission factors for a facility in the U.S. can be determined by using facility eGRID subregion from the map in Figure 1. If not sure of a facility's sub-region, use the EPA Power Profiler tool (available at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/powerprofiler.html) to find the sub-region based on its zip code. Then find the appropriate emission factors for CO2, CH4, N2O. Once emission factors have been obtained, use the formula below to calculate emissions:
CO2 Emissions (tons) = Electricity Use × Emission Factor ÷ 2,204.62 (MWh) (lbs CO2/MWh) (lbs/metric ton)
D.VOC oxidizers are routinely left out of carbon footprint calculations because component gases differ. Facilities normally have the amount of gas (VOC) burned and the mole fraction of the different components present in the gas stream.
To calculate the CO2 emissions for each VOC component:
CO2 Emissions (Metric tons) = [VOC Component (kg) x Carbon Content x Fraction Oxidized x (MW CO2/ M.W. Carbon)] / (1000kg /Metric tons) where - Mass of carbon for each VOC component = number of carbons present in the molecular formula of component times 12
- Carbon content = Mass of carbon/ mass of component as a whole
- MW CO2/ MW carbon (a given standard) = 3.67
For example: Toluene (CAS#: 108-88-3) (Molecular formula: C7H8) (Mass: 92)
Assume a 12,000 kg toluene emission through the stack and 99-percent oxidizer efficiency.
First, calculate carbon content based on number of carbons in toluene: (7x12) / 92= 0.9130
Next, calculate CO2 Emissions from Toluene oxidized:
[12,000 kg x (0.9130) x .99] / 1000 = 10.85 m tons
After final emission data has been quantified for the six greenhouse gases (GHG) of concern CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6, HFCs and PFCs); their emissions must be converted into a CO2 equivalent (CO2 -eq). This is done by multiplying their emission by their unique Global Warming Potential (GWP) for each GHG, which relates to their ability to trap heat in the atmosphere relative to CO2. An example is shown below:
Example GHG inventory: - 7,000,000 tons/yr of CO2 emissions (GWP of CO2=1)
- 400,000 tons/yr of CH4 emissions (GWP of CH4=21)
- 700 tons/yr of N2O emissions (GWP of N2O =310)
Total CO2-eq = tons CO2 (GWP [CO2]) + tons CH4 (GWP [CH4]) + tons N2O (GWP [N2O]) =
7,000,000 (1) + 400,000 (21) + 700 (310) = 15,617,000 metric tons CO2-eq
In taking on an endeavor such as this, several concepts must be kept in mind to ensure success: relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency and accuracy. For a facility's carbon footprint to be relevant means that it leads to wiser decision making. But how relevant would that report be with out completeness of data that was compiled? For accurate comparisons between years, consistency of methodology and approach is required to compare like with like. Transparency indicates the ability to maintain credibility of internal and external review. Lastly, all of the above is meaningless if accuracy of the data is lacking. This is why a good environmental management system can be invaluable to an organization. It will insure completeness, consistency, transparency and accuracy, which are four out of the five requirements for successful GHG recordkeeping. So, what's next? Set GHG reduction goals. With the base year emission and current year emission data in hand, a facility can build a reduction plan. Also, remember that portions of the carbon footprint can be used to satisfy the new GHG reporting requirements that are already in place, with report submissions for RY2010 due in March 2011.
If a full carbon footprint is not yet required, why bother? Companies that have committed to tracking and reducing their footprint have enjoyed the benefit of: lowering operating/manufacturing costs; meeting demands of shareholders and investors; enhancing their image, reputation and brand recognition. http://www.pollutionengineering.com/Articles/Column/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000862489
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EPA Pushes Ahead on GHG Standards
by Roy Bigham
Posted: December 23, 2010 The EPA issued its plan for establishing greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution standards under the Clean Air Act in 2011. The agency looked at a number of sectors and is moving forward on GHG standards for fossil fuel power plants and petroleum refineries – two of the largest industrial sources, representing nearly 40 percent of the GHG pollution in the United States. The schedule issued in the Dec. 23, 2010 agreements provides a clear path forward for these sectors and is part of EPA’s common-sense approach to addressing GHGs from the largest industrial pollution sources.
"We are following through on our commitment to proceed in a measured and careful way to reduce GHG pollution that threatens the health and welfare of Americans, and contributes to climate change," said Administrator Lisa Jackson. "These standards will help American companies attract private investment to the clean energy upgrades that make our companies more competitive and create good jobs here at home."
Several states, local governments and environmental organizations sued the EPA over the agency’s failure to update the pollution standards for fossil fuel power plants and petroleum refineries, two of the largest source categories of GHG pollution in the United States. Under today’s agreement, the EPA will propose standards for power plants in July 2011 and for refineries in December 2011 and will issue final standards in May 2012 and November 2012, respectively.
This schedule will allow the agency to host listening sessions with the business community, states and other stakeholders in early 2011, well before the rulemaking process begins, as well as to solicit additional feedback during the routine notice and comment period. Together this feedback will lead to smart, cost-effective and protective standards that reflect the latest and best information.
The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set industry-specific standards for new sources that emit significant quantities of harmful pollutants. These standards, called New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), set the level of pollution new facilities may emit and address air pollution from existing facilities. The Act allows flexible and innovative approaches that take into account cost, health and environmental impacts, and energy requirements. The agency also must periodically update these standards to reflect improvements in control technologies.
Earlier this year, the EPA issued a common-sense approach to GHG permitting for the largest industrial sources. This approach, the GHG permitting guidelines issued in November, and these standards will give power plants and refineries a clear and sensible path for addressing GHG pollution.
The EPA will accept public comment on these two agreements for 30 days following publication of notice in the Federal Register. www.pollutionengineering.com JAY SAYS |
Dear reader, Polls show frustration with the economy continues. (AP) Federal Reserve officials have a slightly dimmer view of the economy than they did in April, reflecting worries about how the European debt crisis could affect U.S. growth and job prospects. Fed officials say in an updated economic forecast that they think the economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, will grown between 3 percent and 3.5 percent this year. That’s a downward revision from a growth range in their April forecast of 3.2 percent and 3.7 percent. www. cbsnews.com The bottom line, in my opinion, is confidence in the leadership of the current administration. Best regards,
Jay Klaus
JKlaus@KlausEquipment.com
Klaus Equipment Company, Inc.
President
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Klaus Equipment Company
Phone: 724-444-3420
Fax: 724-444-3425
2866 West Bardonner Road,
Gibsonia, PA 15044
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